The California Assembly will soon vote on a controversial bill by state Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, that would end state tax exemptions for the Boy Scouts of America and other youth groups if their membership policies discriminate based on sexual orientation.

Lara’s office said the legislation, Senate Bill 323, could be acted on this week or next. The final day of the session is Sept. 13.

Though the bill, known as the Youth Equality Act, also names organizations such as Little League, Girl Scouts, Young Men’s Christian Association, 4-H Clubs, Special Olympics Inc., American Youth Soccer Organization and Pop Warner football, Lara has said the law is intended to act as an umbrella against future discrimination and is not necessarily targeted at groups other than the Boys Scouts.

California Gov. Jerry Brown, shown earlier this year, on Monday signed legislation allowing students in California schools to compete on sports teams and use facilities, including restrooms, based on their gender identity. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

By Tom Verdin, Associated Press

SACRAMENTO — California on Monday became the first state to enshrine certain rights for transgender K-12 students in state law, requiring public schools to allow those students access to whichever restroom and locker room they want.

Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown announced he signed AB1266, which also will allow transgender students to choose whether they want to play boys’ or girls’ sports. The new law gives students the right “to participate in sex-segregated programs, activities and facilities” based on their self-perception and regardless of their birth gender.

SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, has proposed removing the tax exempt status of the Boy Scouts of America if the group continues to forbid gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members.

The “Youth Equality Act,” or SB 323, would end an exemption on corporate taxes on donations or other income the Boy Scouts and certain youth groups receive, if they discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

Lara said the tax break was intended to reward youth groups that benefit all Californians.

“We’re not saying you have to let folks in, but if you choose to actually discriminate against somebody for being LGBT, we shouldn’t be giving you the privilege of a tax exemption that is supported by all California,” Lara said Monday.

A Boy Scouts of America spokesman said Monday the organization was aware of the legislation but had no comment.

Butters Scotch said he was “bi-curious” and sent away to gay camp to change his sexual confusion in a episode of “South Park.” (Photo courtesy of Comedy Central.)

By The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Two federal judges in California have arrived at opposite conclusions on whether the state’s first-of-its-kind law prohibiting licensed psychotherapists from using conversion therapy on gay minors violates the Constitution. The measure remains clear to take effect on Jan.1.

U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller on Tuesday refused to block the law after concluding that opponents who sued in her Sacramento court to overturn it were unlikely to prove the ban on “conversion” therapy unfairly tramples on their civil rights.

The injunction was filed by the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality and the American Association of Christian Counselors, as well as unnamed individuals who sued shortly after the law was signed.

“The court finds there is no fundamental or privacy right to choose a specific mental health treatment the state has reasonably deemed harmful to minors,” Mueller wrote in a 44-page decision.

The opponents argued the law would make them liable for discipline if they merely recommended the therapy to patients or discuss it with them. Mueller said they didn’t demonstrate that they were likely to win, so she wouldn’t block the law.